Archival Storage and Preservation

Book Care and Handling

The term "archival quality" or “acid-free” are terms used to designate materials or products that are permanent, durable, and/or
chemically stable and, therefore, can be safely used for long-term preservation and conservation purposes.

When selecting archival supplies for collection storage, buy only from reputable suppliers of archival products. Many commercially
available folders, sleeves, and envelopes are acidic. Plastics may be contaminated or have harmful coatings or plasticizers, and
adhesives are often acidic and can stain permanently, so plastic storage is not recommended.

Handle archival materials as little as possible.

The use of cotton gloves will protect archival material from oily fingerprint transfer. Cotton gloves are also recommended during book repair.

Do not eat or drink in storage, exhibition, or work areas. Liquids are easily spilled and will also stain archival materials. These stains
are often difficult, if not impossible, to remove.

Do not use metal paper clips or rubber bands to secure objects together. Individual folders or sleeves offer a better way to organize
and combine multi-sheet records.

One touch with a pH testing pen will indicate if an item is alkaline or acidic. This will help to determine the next course of action.

The effects of light damage are cumulative! Turn off direct sources of light, such as table lamps, when items are left unattended. Use
UV light filters on lights and windows. Always protect valuable items from exposure to sunlight, moisture, dust and dirt.

Books should not be exposed to sunlight. The damaging effect of UV rays can be minimized with the application of Brodart Book
Jacket Covers.

All documents should be housed in a protective sleeve made of polyester (Mylar), as well as paper envelopes for storage.

When retrieving a single item from a folder, first remove the file folder from the box and then remove the item.

When placing papers in file folders, there should be no more than ten sheets per folder. Use even few sheets per folder
when storing more valuable documents.

Interleave documents using acid-free Bond Paper or glassine sheets.

Newspaper clippings are very acidic. They should be treated with deacidification spray and stored in their own folders to
limit acid migration. Always test a treatment on an inconspicuous area of the material before treating the entire item.

Store materials in a relatively cool, dry, dark location. Paper should be kept in an environment with a relative humidity
of 35-40%. Items such as leather, textiles etc. should be in 45-55% RH.

Interleave large items with buffered paper for support.

When choosing an acid-free tissue, consider the type of artifact you are storing. Cotton, flax, linen, and jute should be
stored using a buffered tissue to neutralize acids. Wool, silk, and textiles are best stored using unbuffered tissue which has
a neutral pH.

The Photo Activity Test was developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to evaluate materials that come
in contact with photographic emulsions. Materials that pass the test help ensure safe long-term storage of negatives, slides,
and microfiche.

All negatives and prints require protection from finger oils, acids, dust, dirt, pollution, and abrasion. Use of cotton gloves
when handling your negatives and prints will protect against damage.

Photo storage should be made of strong, durable and chemically stable material. Any material that comes in contact with
photographs should pass the P.A.T. test. Do not store photographs in commercially available "magnetic" photo albums.
Choose acid-free materials and pages.

Extend the life of your photo album by using archival material. The ideal photo album would be constructed with 100%
archival materials including a protective cover, a hinge that allows the book to comfortably expand, and size that is easy to
shelve or store.

If you choose to use plastic page protectors, purchase them from a recognized archival products company. Many "PVC-free"
plastics that are available through discount stores are not archival.

Attach your photographs, postcards, and other items with archival photo corners or choose an acid-free adhesive. This will
prevent discoloration of tape and materials.

If a photograph or collection produces a vinegar/acidic smell, remove the photo from the collection and place in an isolated
air tight container. This smell is known and Vinegar Disease and spreads quickly to other photographs. Vinegar disease
increases the speed of deterioration in photographs and can be potential harmful.

Photographs should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from harmful UV rays to avoid fading and yellowing.

NOTE:
Avoid using pen or markers on or around archival materials.
Pencil is best suited in most circumstances as it is removable.